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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 4, 2022 18:10:14 GMT -5
Next pipe I'm working on is a gift, and I wanted to add a couple of dots to the stem, but I'm not really sure what material would be best suited to the task. I was thinking plastic Pickup Sticks (though I'm not sure how round they are) or perhaps some cocktail picks. Maybe craft stores sell small dowels of plastic in assorted colors and diameters?
So tell me: What have you folks found works well?
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Post by oldcajun123 on Apr 4, 2022 18:38:35 GMT -5
 On one pipe I used nail Polish called hard as nails, worked for me although it was for a Dunhill.
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 4, 2022 18:41:45 GMT -5
 On one pipe I used nail Polish called hard as nails, worked for me although it was for a Dunhill. So just drill it 'n fill it? Then sand and polish it down? Probably easier than gluing in a piece of plastic at any rate. How's it react with the stem material? Any consideration to be made there?
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Post by Silver on Apr 4, 2022 18:54:31 GMT -5
There was a seller on the 'bay that sold white plastic rods to make replacement spots for Dunhill pipes. Quick search doesn't result in any hits.
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 4, 2022 18:59:18 GMT -5
There was a seller on the 'bay that sold white plastic rods to make replacement spots for Dunhill pipes. Quick search doesn't result in any hits. I'll keep a lookout, but I'm intrigued by the nail polish. I think I'll slice off a piece of ebonite to do tests with tomorrow--just to see how it holds up to sanding and polishing.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Apr 4, 2022 21:09:54 GMT -5
 Hard as nails is just like the adversitisment, should work for you, put a big drop, let it settle, then go from there!
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 5, 2022 7:41:42 GMT -5
There was a seller on the 'bay that sold white plastic rods to make replacement spots for Dunhill pipes. Quick search doesn't result in any hits. I'll keep a lookout, but I'm intrigued by the nail polish. I think I'll slice off a piece of ebonite to do tests with tomorrow--just to see how it holds up to sanding and polishing. Just think of the variety of colours you could use too. 
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 5, 2022 9:05:21 GMT -5
I'll keep a lookout, but I'm intrigued by the nail polish. I think I'll slice off a piece of ebonite to do tests with tomorrow--just to see how it holds up to sanding and polishing. Just think of the variety of colours you could use too.  Maybe I'll do something ridiculous--make a clown themed pipe with a stem covered in dots of various sizes and colors. Stick it in a presentational box that looks like a circus tent, complete with juggling pin tamper.
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 5, 2022 10:41:26 GMT -5
Just think of the variety of colours you could use too.  Maybe I'll do something ridiculous--make a clown themed pipe with a stem covered in dots of various sizes and colors. Stick it in a presentational box that looks like a circus tent, complete with juggling pin tamper. I'd love to see that!
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 9, 2022 19:53:15 GMT -5
Quick update: Nail polish was a bust. Has a tendency to settle into the hole lower than the rim, requiring additional applications. Combined with a long curing time, the results are too inconsistent and time consuming. I did find a product at the local art store called Apoxie Sculpt, and it looks promising. It's a binary clay, but adheres like an epoxy. It can be packed into the hole well, doesn't settle, and it cures after 24 hours. The stuff comes in colors, but I experimented with white by adding some powered pigment to it. The results look good. I'm waiting till morning to sand and polish my test piece, but I think this is what I'll end up using going forward. Here's a link to the stuff, for anyone who's interested: avesstudio.com/shop/apoxie-sculpt/
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RDPipes
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Post by RDPipes on Apr 10, 2022 6:52:20 GMT -5
Most pipe makers either order the very small diameter white rod stock from Tim West of turn there own out of briar, ebonite, acrylic or what ever else blows your skirt up. After turning it to the size wanted they put a point on one end so it makes it easier to insert and gives a tight fit and then just saws or clips the extra off, and sands flush. Easy Peasey Japanesey.
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 10, 2022 13:42:28 GMT -5
Most pipe makers either order the very small diameter white rod stock from Tim West of turn there own out of briar, ebonite, acrylic or what ever else blows your skirt up. After turning it to the size wanted they put a point on one end so it makes it easier to insert and gives a tight fit and then just saws or clips the extra off, and sands flush. Easy Peasey Japanesey. Yeah, I had given some thought to that, but couldn't find a source of acrylic. It's a moot point though since this Apoxie Sculpt seems to do the trick. I let it cure overnight and then sanded and polished my test piece and it came out perfectly. I also found out by accident that it's quite durable too--the buffing wheel grabbed the piece and fired around the shop like a bullet. Both of the test dots survived. The powdered dye (Jacquard Pearl Ex) worked out well too, so I may experiment later with blending colors. Only down side is you end up throwing away more than you use for a single dot. But since I'm only mixing a pea sized amount at a time, I can live with it. I took the leftover and put holes through it to make beads. Figured it might be a nice embellishment for the sock if the tassels match the dots. If I make stem dots a regular feature, what I'll likely do is wait until I've got several pipes shaped and sanded to that point, then put dots on all of them at the same time, to conserve material.
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 11, 2022 6:08:48 GMT -5
Most pipe makers either order the very small diameter white rod stock from Tim West of turn there own out of briar, ebonite, acrylic or what ever else blows your skirt up. After turning it to the size wanted they put a point on one end so it makes it easier to insert and gives a tight fit and then just saws or clips the extra off, and sands flush. Easy Peasey Japanesey. Yeah, I had given some thought to that, but couldn't find a source of acrylic. It's a moot point though since this Apoxie Sculpt seems to do the trick. I let it cure overnight and then sanded and polished my test piece and it came out perfectly. I also found out by accident that it's quite durable too--the buffing wheel grabbed the piece and fired around the shop like a bullet. Both of the test dots survived. The powdered dye (Jacquard Pearl Ex) worked out well too, so I may experiment later with blending colors. Only down side is you end up throwing away more than you use for a single dot. But since I'm only mixing a pea sized amount at a time, I can live with it. I took the leftover and put holes through it to make beads. Figured it might be a nice embellishment for the sock if the tassels match the dots. If I make stem dots a regular feature, what I'll likely do is wait until I've got several pipes shaped and sanded to that point, then put dots on all of them at the same time, to conserve material. Any pictures?
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Post by justanotherpiper on Apr 11, 2022 12:44:03 GMT -5
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